Van Wert man leaves WORTH Center for prison

Dale Wright, Jr. of Van Wert enters the courtroom at Van Wert County Court of Common Pleas Wednesday. Wright was sentenced to prison for violating the terms of his probation. (Times Bulletin/Ed Gebert)

VAN WERT — A man who was sent for rehabilitation at the WORTH Center in Lima after pleading guilty to a weapons charge was sent to prison for violating the terms of his probation. Dale Wright, Jr., 22, Van Wert, was originally found guilty of two separate charges and was sent to the WORTH Center, however Wright was terminated from the program before completing it.

“I’ve never wanted to change before,” he admitted. “But I really wanted to come home and try to change. I know I have a bunch of issues. Anger is very hard for me [to deal with.] I’m asking for some help.”

Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge Charles D. Steele sentenced Wright to a total of 18 months in prison with credit given for 173 days. Steele told Wright that he would consider judicial release if a proper facility could be found to help Wright deal with his issues.

A Van Wert woman who pleaded not guilty to violating her community control last week was back in court this week to be sentenced after admitted her violations. Alisha Stemen, 22, Van Wert, was found guilty and sentenced to serve 58 days in jail as part of three years of community control.

Stemen had been accused of associating with a known felon, not reporting to her probation officer or for court-ordered counseling, and testing positive for cocaine and morphine. A nine-month prison term was deferred pending the successful completion of community control.

A Paulding man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a reduced charge of domestic violence in a case involving a child under the age of two. Roger Hibbard, 37, pleaded to a misdemeanor charge which had been reduced from a fourth-degree felony. Hibbard faces up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine when he is sentenced April 30.

Terry Warren, Jr., 27, Van Wert, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree felony theft. Warren faces up to 12 months in prison when he is sentenced May 21. Steele revoked Warren’s bond until the defendant qualifies for electronically-monitored house arrest because of a recent failed drug test.

Timothy Schlatman, 32, Van Wert, entered guilty pleas to a pair of drug possession counts, each a felony of the fifth degree. Schlatman was granted treatment in lieu of conviction, giving him one year to complete a treatment program ordered by the court.

Five persons were arraigned Wednesday after indictments were issued by the Van Wert Grand Jury last Friday. Tyler Mohr, 19, Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to third-degree felony grand theft. Mohr was ordered held on a $50,000 bond with ten percent privilege. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for April 16.

Joshua Kessler, 25, Hamilton, Indiana, pleaded not guilty to carrying a concealed weapon, a felony of the fourth degree. Kessler was released on bond and ordered to attend an April 30 pretrial hearing.

Matthew Southerland, 31, Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to fifth-degree felony drug trafficking. He was released on bond with an April 30 pretrial hearing scheduled.

Ryan Schaadt, 29, Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to heroin possession, a fourth-degree felony. Shaadt was released on bond with an April 3- pretrial hearing set.

Raymond Washington, 32, Lima, entered a not guilty plea to a fifth-degree felony charge of violating a civil protection order. Washington was released on bond with a no contact order toward any of three person named in the protection order. A pretrial hearing will be held on April 30.